Door hinge for electrical connection



Sept. 10,- 1963 M. T. PHELPS 3,103,398

DooR HINGE Fon ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Filed Aug. 16, 1960 E 2sheets-sheet 1 INVENT OR BY @Am/M7 ATTORNEY Sept 10, 1963 M. T. PHELPsDooR HINGE ECR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Filed Aug. 16, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheetl2 f3' q INVENTOR /rI/c'a/m 7.,'/9/76//6' I w BY y//ff/V ATTORNEY Unitedsat-@S Pat-em o 3,103,398 DOR HINGE FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Malcolm T.Phelps,-.la1nestown, N.Y., assigner to Weber- Knapp Company, Jamestown,N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 16, 1960, Ser. No. 49,869 3Claims. (Cl.v 339-4) This invention relates to improvements in hingesfor mounting doors on cabinets and more specifically-is vdirected tohinges that are particularly :adapted yfor use to support cab-inet doorswherein electrical connection must be established tand maintainedbetween one or more devices within thecabinet and door-mounted units. Inthis reference, the invention is well suited for use in mounting thedoors of a cabinet in which :certain units of a high iidelitystereophonic reproducing device `are located.

In the past, stereophonic reproducing devices have Vconsisted of -acombined record player or other reprodncer with an `amplifier unit `anda pair of separate and independently movable speakers. These speakersVwere required to be spaced apart .and in such angular arrangement withrespect to each other that sound emanating therefrom would have a pointof intersection. It is at this point that stereophonic sound may best'be heard; but, of course, by changing the angular relationship of thespeakers, the point of sound intersection may-be a variable distancefrom the speakers. Y l

As stereophonic reproducing devices became of greater interest tothe'purchasing public, manufacturers ofsuch equipment endeavored to makethem more attractive and compact. 1One vvay of accomplishing this was tohonse the recording or reproducing unit in one cabinet `and attach thespeakers to .the bi-parting doors of another cabinet. These doors wereof hollow design and the c-ontained speakers were so positioned thatsound therefrom came from the inside face of the doors. Ot course, thedoors were so mounted or hinged that they could be opened upwards 'of180, thus permitting directing the sound from the speakers tointersectclose to or at a suitable distance from the cabinet. Anampliiier connected with the reproducing devicewas located vin thecabinet and electrical connections were provided between it and thedoor-contained speakers.

Keeping in mind that the speakers can only properly function when thedoors are both open to an extent greater than 90, it is evident thatwires leading from the ampliiier lto each of the speakers would`generally be visible at .all times the speakers were in use. Eventhough only a relatively short amount lof slack wire may be necessary-to enable swinging the doors into Ifullyopenedvposition, it appearsthat repeated movement of the doors subjects the wire to Wear anddeterioration by flexing and that in time the wires usefulness tocleanly transmit electrical impulses is impaired. Furthermore, it wouldseem that the open doors of a cabinet of this naturev invitewire abuseor damage by small inquisitive children.

It is a general purpose land `object of the invention to provide hingesfor cabinet doors that enable establishing electricalconnections-between units carried by the doors and a cabinet containedamplifier unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide means ktor substantiallyconcealing :all wiring connections between a door mounted unit and acabinet contained -unit thro-ugh the assistance of a pair of hingeleaves having positive electrical connection.

Y A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a pintlethat so connects `a pair of hinge leaves yas to assure positiveelectrical connection in lal-l rotatable positions of said leaves.

vforming part of the invention).

ice

tribute to smooth relative rota-tion of the leaves but also' create :apositive electrical connection therebetween `at `all times and Iin allrelative positions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fullyunderstood and appreciated `from a consideration `of the lfoltlowingspeciiication, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings;which,

=FIG. 1 is a :generally lfront view of a cabinet having speaker carryingdoors shown in wide-open position, the doors being mounted by hingesembodying one rform of the invention;

IFIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view of thestructure shown inFIG. 1, being taken substantially on the line 2 2 ofthis tigure;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the line3--3 of FIG. 2, partsr being broken away to disclose the elements;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the structure appearing in the circle inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is `an enlarged side elevational view of the hinge Referring moreparticularly to the drawings, the reference numeral' 10 is employed togenerally designate a cabinet in which one form of the invention isembodied. The cabinet may be of any desired artistic form and, forpresent purposes, is merely shown as a box-like struc-v ture having atop 11, upper rail 12, lower apron 13, and side portions M, all of whichdefine a front opening in the cabinet. As the present invention relatesto cabinets Afor use with stereophonic reproducing devices, twoamplifiers 1S and `16 are shown lto be located on the cabinet base oriloor 17. These arnpliiiers have suitable connection -with a reproducingdevice (not shown or The cabinet opening is inten-ded to be closable bya pair of identical reversely disposed bi-parting doors 18. As isapparentin FIGS. 2 and 3, each door 13 is of hollow construction andincludes anouter `Solid panel 19 from lwhich marginal panels 21 extendat right anglesl in a rearward direction. A rear panel 22 is providedand centrally thereof is an opening 23'. It is evident from the drawingsthat the hollow doors 1S are each intended to mount 'and concealspeakers '2S and, inv consequence, the marginal panels Z1 are ofappropriate depth for this purpose; Also, since speakers offdiierentdiameter 'are contemplated as being used in this manner,

the opening 235A in each door will preferably be of a diametersufficiently less than the diameter of the speakdesignated at 24, andwhich constitute the ressence of the invention. One leaf of each hingeis attached to apron 13 or upper rail 12, the other leaf being attachedto the top and/ or bottom of the door 1'8.

As will have been understood from the above introf duction to theinvention, it is necessary to provide posiloc-ation of one of the lowerhinge tive 'and what may be termed clean electrical contact between theamplier units 15 and 16 and their respective speakers 25, despite theyfact that the speakers are contained in the doors 1'8 and that thesedoors of necessity must be movable into a predetermined angularrelationship if true stereophonic sound is to be obtained. Obviously, itis a simple matter to run leads 2-6 and 27 from each of the amplifiersupwardly and downwardly in concealed condition within -a hollow rearpanel 28.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, and considering only oneampli'lier unit and speaker, it will be noted that the lead 26 extendsbeneath the cabinet base 17 to the inside face of the apron 13 wherethere is a recess 29. As clearly shown in FIG. 8, this recess exposesthe pointed end of one of the screws 31 that secure one of the hingeleaves to `the cabinet apron. The other lead 27 passes upwardly throughthe rear wall 28 and continues along a groove 32 to a recess 33 which,being similarto the recess 29, exposes the pointed end of one of thescrews 34 that secure the upper leaf of one of the hinges .to the rail12 of the cabinet opening. Similarly, Iwith reference to the leavesattached to the door 18, the ends of certain of the screws securing suchleaves are exposed by providing recesses such as 29a and 33a;

From the foregoing, it is evident that whatever electrical impulses areavailable at the amplifiers 15 and 16, such impulses are now carriedthrough leads 26 and 27 to the bottom leaf of the hinge for one door andthe top leaf of the hinge `for the same door. The problem, of course, isto provide for positive transmission of impulses from the amplier to theother leaves of the hinges in order that connection may be had with thespeaker contained in the door.

Attention is now particularly directed to FIGS. and 6 of the drawings.Herein the hinge is shown to consist of two leaves. IFor purposes ofexplanation, leaf 36 is considered the `top leaf and leaf 37 the bottomleaf of each hinge. However, this position would be reversed whenreferring to the lower hinges. As is common in hinges where it isdesired that cabinet doors be capable of swinging into approxi-mately180 open position, the pin or pintle end of the hinge is offset, assuggested by the angularly disposed portions 38 and 39 of the leaves 36and 37, respectively. The body portion 41 of leaf 36 is provided withthree countersunk openings 42. At the' end of the portion 38 0f thisleaf is a circular opening 43. Still in the portion 38 isa small opening44 which is perhaps slightly closer to the opening 43 than the nearestscrew opening 42. At the end of the portion 39 is an opening 45. Thisopening is deliberately made with multiple angular side walls such, forexample, as a rectangle, star, etc. However, the innermost, oppositesurfaces of any two sides of this opening are equal to the diameter ofthe opening 43 in portion 38. Leaf 37 has countersunk screw openings 46through |which screws 47 may project to secure the adjacent leaves tothe top and bottom edges of the door 18. In the drawings, thecountersinking appears in this leaf but not in leaf 36 inasmuch as it issecured by screws that extend upwardly from beneath the leaf.

Between the end portions `38 and 391` of the leaves is a spacing washer48. This washer serves no other purpose than to properly space theleaves and, of course, may be iiormed from a material such as nylon topromote: smooth relative pivotal movement of the leaves. Above theportion 38 is a further wlasher 49, preferably formed trom the samematerial las washer 48. A pivot pin 51 is provide and includes a roundedhead 52, the under surface of which is fiat and conventionallyperpendicular to the axis of the body of the pin. As lsuggested in theexploded view ot FIG. 6, the hinge leaves fare joined by merelyprojecting the pin through washer 49, opening 43, washer 48 and opening45. The length of the pin is such thlat it will project slightly beneaththe portion 39 of the lower leaf 37 and this projecting portion, duringthe process of peening it over to prevent withdrawal, is expanded tocompletely iill the multiple sided opening 45. In this manner, the pin51 is not only secured against dispiacement or any possiblesepanationf'from the leaves, but is also virtually integrally locked tothe lower leaf 37 in order that any movement of said leaf relative toleaf 36 will require movement of the pin.

When the leaves of a given hinge have been joined, as above stated, acap 53 is applied to the head 52 `of the pin. This cap consists of lasecuring tab 54 connected to a cup portion 56 by an oifset spring-likeportion 57. The tab 54 has 'an opening `58 which, when made to registerwith the opening 44, is held in place by a rivet 59. As clearlysuggested in FIG. 5, the cap 53, when mounted, completely encloses thehead 52 of the pivot pin and has pressure contact with said top to ltheextent of the strength of the offset portion 57.

From the foregoing description of the hinge elements and their assembly,it will be evident that any relative pivoting movement of the hingeleaves causes a rotating, wiping, frictional contact between the head 52and the cup portion 56 of the cap `53. These parts 'are 'accuratelymatched and, since the cap entirely encloses the head 52, there is noopportunity for any foreign matter whatsoever to come Ibetween thesecontacting surfaces. Furthermore, due to the pressure exerted by the cap53, the contacting surfaces are maintained in a clean, bright and highlysatisfactory electrical conducting condition at 'all times. It makes nodifference which of the two leaves moves during a door opening andclosing operation, inasmuch as the head'52 of the pin and the cupportion 56 are carried by different leaves and wiping rotation 4willalways occur.

At the time of mounting the speakers 25 in their respec tive doors 18,the top and bottom hinges, the leaves of each of which having previouslybeen joined, lare secured =by screws 47 identified as those -used tosecure a bottom leaf 37 of the upper hinge and a top leaf 36 of thelower hinge. As pointed out, the end of one screw for each of theseleaves is exposed in yrecesses 29a and 33a. It becomes a simple matterto connect leads 61 land 62 trom the speaker with these screws. Thus,through the pin and `cap arrangement, the ycomplementary leaf or eachhinge has electrical connection with the speaker. When the-other leaf ofeach hinge is Secured to the rail 12 and apron 13 ort the cabinet, onescrew of each leaf-namely, 31 and 34-projects into recesses 29 and 33,respectively. Leads'26 and 27, from each of the lampliiiers havinglalready been secured as above described, may now be joined to theexposed ends orf the screws. In this manner all wiring is concealedlandthereby protected lagainst wear or ydamage and positive electricalconnection is established las between each speaker and its respectiveamplifier.

Although applicant has shown and described ionly one manner ofestablishing wired connection as between leaves of door hinges andamplifiers, it will be understood that this arrangement may be variedwithout in any way changing the scope of the invention las set out inthe annexed claims.

Having thus set for-th my invention, what I claim las new and for whichI desire protection by Letters Hattent 1s:

1. A hinge adapted to provide .a positive electrical connection betweenthe leaves thereof, said hinge comprising a tinst leaf having an openingthrough one end, la second leart having ia multi-sided :opening throughlan end corresponding to the one end of said rst leaf, a pivot pinprojecting through the openings in the leaves, one end of said pin-being expanded to lill said multi-sided opening land prevent relativerotation of said pin and said second leaf, a rounded head on said pin,ra spring stnap secured to said first leaf, and a cupped portion on saidstnap enclising said head and having total frictional contact there w12. A hinge ladapted to provide Ia clean electrical conneotion betweenthe leaves thereof, said hinge ycomprising ya rst leaf having an openingthrough `one end, ya second leaf having an opening through an endcorresponding to the one end of said rs't leaf, said second leaf Openingbeing out-ofaound, a pin projecting mbrough sxad leaf openings, one endof said pin being expanded to ll said out-of-ronnd opening whereby toprevent pin notation with respect to said second leaf, means earried bysaid pin and serving to space one lea'f lirom the other, a rounded heardon the other end of said pin, and means enclosing said head and havingtotal rictional Contact therewith.

3. A hinge adapted to provide positive electrical oonnectioin betweenthe leaves thereof comprising a first leaif having a circular Iopeningin one end thereof, a second leaf having an opening at one end thereofformed by multiple side Walls, la pivot pin pnojecting through theopenings in said leaves, a head on said pin having a fiat under `surfaceand a rounded top, a washer interposed between said head land said firstleaf, and a further washer located between and serving to space one leaffrom the other, the free end of said pin 4being expanded to ll theopening in said second leaf whereby to prevent relative rotation, astrap secured to said first leaf, a cupped portion on said 6 strapenclosing the top of said pin, and having total frictionall Contacttherewith, relative pivotal movement of eaild leaves eausing the top tohave `a continuous wiping contaet with said portion whereby to establishand maintain a elean electrical connection between said fnst and saidsecond leaf.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,691,805 Haulton Nov. 13, 1928 1,916,489 Reichrnlann ITuly 4, 19332,060,700 Thomson Nov. 10, 1936 2,171,021 Atwood Aug. 29, 1939 2,836,688Florschutz May 27, 1958 2,895,033 Favre July 14, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS1,132,635 France Nov. 5, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES

2. A HINGE ADAPTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THELEAVES THEREOF, SAID HINGE COMPRISING A FIRST LEAF HAVING AN OPENINGTHROUGH ONE END, A SECOND LEAF HAVING AN OPENING THROUGH AN ENDCORRESPONDING TO THE ONE END OF SAID FIRST LEAF, SAID SECOND LEAFOPENING BEING OUT-OF-ROUND, A PIN PROJECTING THROUGH SAID LEAF OPENINGS,ONE END OF SAID PIN BEING EXPANDED TO FILL SAID OUT-OF-ROUND OPENINGWHEREBY TO PREVENT PIN ROTATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID SECOND LEAF, MEANSCARRIED BY SAID PIN AND SERVING TO SPACE ONE LEAF FROM THE OTHER, AROUNDED HEAD ON THE OTHER END OF SAID PIN, AND MEANS ENCLOSING SAID HEADAND HAVING TOTAL FRICTIONAL CONTACT THEREWITH.